Alison Mutler, AP correspendent in Romania for longer than we’ve been in long trousers, filed a brilliant, sharp and acerbic story yesterday, titled Romania president’s flashy daughter seeks EU seat.
As the story was well written and of general interest, it got picked up by quite a few foreign publications.
Cue usual overeaction in Romania at the first whiff of a story in the international press that dares not to mention Romania in anything but the most glowing terms.
Really, Romanians should stop worrying about what other people think of them. It really doesn’t matter.
Besides, Romanian publications have been taking the piss out of Elena Basescu for years.
Dear Kettle, Yours Pot.
{ 70 comments… read them below or add one }
NO PLACE LIKE AMERICA! NO ONE RUNS ANYWHERE BUT TO AMERICA! LOADED WITH ALL YOU TYPES UNFORTUNATELY. GOD BLESS THE USA!!!! BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD………
http://www.prosport.ro/sport-life/sport-life/cristi-si-alina-borcea-fara-umbrela-la-plaja-9244020 no umbrellas allowed on the beach
http://www.evz.ro/detalii/stiri/un-barbat-a-fost-arestat-din-cauza-comenzii-pe-care-a-facut-o-la-fast-food-956972.html police snitches on every street corner, worse than in the times of the Securitate in Romania
http://www.gandul.info/magazin/zeci-de-americani-fara-adapost-au-ridicat-orasul-cort-cum-arata-viata-in-mijlocul-padurii-galerie-foto-8740775 people living on the streets
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/21/world/middleeast/after-disclosures-by-wikileaks-al-jazeera-replaces-its-top-news-director.html?_r=2&smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto media channels submitted to government propaganda
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1379555/Koran-burning-pastor-Terry-Jones-court-Mohammed-effigy-plans.html people being put in jail for not paying 1$ fines
Did they brainwash you to such extent that you aren’t able to see these things anymore? That country is a fuck*ng concentration camp.
No person who can put food on his table wants to go to America. You only get Indians who’d be starving to death in their own country. Personally I don’t even want to touch the shores of America in this lifetime.
Merica is fookin shite Die Anna Piss head!!!
There are a lot of good, ethical, competent, talented people in Romania. The problem is the same as in Italy — people like these are marginalized and have no influence.
In other places a more responsible, honest sector can get a foothold, at least at a second-tier level. Arguably that’s even more important than the leadership at the very top, because a good second tier handles day-to-day policy and administration.
My god, who are you people?!! My Romanian wife and I are moving back to Bucharest soon and I figured I’d do some research on the city (though I’ve been several times before). I’m an American who works in international development. I’ve been to many places, most of which are a hell of a lot worse off than “Romania”. I was hoping for something like “Time Out-Bucharest”, but this is just a blog for people who, in their own best interest, should just move somewhere else. What a bunch of whiney people you are….sans the actual Romanians that have written commentary. Romanians, and people from the Balkan region in general, can be somewhat pessemistic and have a bit of a superiority/inferiority complex, but then, look at the history of the region. What exactly do you expect? The government is corrupt, salaries just got slashed (in the public sector) by 25%, and so people are pissed off. In any event, whoever runs this site would do well to clean it up a bit and put up useful information about Romania…with an emphasis on Bucharest, Cluj, Brasov and other major cities.
If I were an American, considering the level of involvement of the US in the internal affairs of this country (as Wikileaks recently revealed) – in the light of the 25% slashed salaries – I’d stay out of Romania.
You, my friend, are a fucking tourist. I have always hated Americans, Europeans and others from the developed world that travel the globe without ever trying to comes to grips with it. Go home, you give other travelers a bad name.
I don’t understand why you don’t just buy a guidebook Mike? Or get your Romanian wife to tell you the score? Or just integrate seamlessly without the need for travel advice like the great traveller that you so clearly are.
I also don’t understand why you come to a blog about life in Bucharest and abuse Romanians for offering a point of view different to your own. And call them tourists.
But what do I know? Bucharest needs more like you.
No, I’m a local. And I’m 26.
A few weeks ago when Afghan protesters killed some 7-8 UN workers the news appeared on Romanian news websites in a matter of minutes. And 80% of comments posted by ordinary people on those websites were blaming the US imperialist policies around the world for the tragedy.
But you know why that was happening? No – it wasn’t because Romanians had some exaggerated human rights conscience thus siding with oppressed people around the world… it was much more simple than that: it was because America had installed Basescu, had supported Emil Boc and their gang to loot the country and to take money out of peoples’ pockets.
The US involvement in the internal affairs of Romania has become a matter of evidence ever since Basescu came to power. What Wikileaks recently did was only to reveal the entire conspiracy.
The feeling among my generation has turned radically against the US. We no longer regard your country as liberators who came here to overthrow Ceausescu and to bring us freedom. Now we regard your country as oppressors who installed the Basescu-Boc puppet regime, who helped and allowed them to loot the country, who don’t give a shit about the people living here and sacrificed these people in a matter of minutes when the US interests dictated so.
Sure, you can come to Romania, it’s not Afghanistan, people will still receive you warmly. And of course you are not guilty for US involvement around the world.
But when you go back to your country and speak with your friends and relatives, remember my words and tell them about what your politicians and governments are doing to other countries, because this is the local reality here in Romania – Basescu, Boc and their gang supported by the US looting the country, closing and locking down hospitals, people dying in front of the locked buildings, biggest wage cuts in Europe, lawlessness imposed by the regime and aimed at local population etc… Otherwise it’s as you said: traveling here without ever trying to come to grips with the place.
here is YET MORE PROOF that NASTY FOREIGNERS HATE ROMANIA!!! This guy really has a problem with Alison Mutler and the AP: http://kingofromania.com/2011/04/16/racism-in-romania/
Note how he has disabled comments. Probably to stop people telling him that he should keep quiet until he has been here as long as Alison Mutler (who we assume he has never even met) and done as much for the country.
In fairness to the man, he has given an explanation on why the comments have been disabled (if a rather rambling and long-winded one)
http://kingofromania.com/2011/04/13/arcane-counterintuitive-and-nonsensical-rules-may-be-the-point/
rambling, long-winded, narcissistic and really rather silly
seen this?
http://kingofromania.com/2011/05/09/we-have-a-winner/
Of course I have seen it; his rants – an increasingly bizarre mix of mock liberal outrage and naivety – are amongst the first things I read each day.
I would tend to agree with most of what Parmalat has to say. It is unfortunate, but American involvement in any country has nimic to do with what is correct and more to do with the money and politics. What is better for America? A perfect example, and really is an example of complete buffroonery, is Central America and South America. During a period of time if a regime was anticommunist it was considered our ally, nu matter how repressive. Because of the policies in these regions I truly believe has led to the massive drug importations to America and this is a dam that can never be repaired! America is run by greed and I never see this changing. The machine has become too big. I am din Dallas and am currently in Buc a few weeks. It is a pity that Romania has the problems it currently has and the problems brought on by the US. IF SUA was to get back to being Democratic instead of flaming Capitalist, the entire world would be better off! When asked where I am from I always say I am Texan and never American!
This is not an information ‘site.’ (The best information site about Bucharest by the way is the day job: http://www.inyourpocket.com/romania/bucharest )
Bucharest Life is instead a bog-standard blog that focuses on life in Bucharest, the good and the bad. If we lived in Sibiu or Cluj we would probably do the same.
I’m making plans to leave Bucharest as soon as possible….it has run it’s course. For me it has nothing new to offer and never will do. Bucharest has a zero quality of life to offer too. You can’t even step out of your apartment without being bitten on the ankle by someones dog. If there was a big enough toilet to flush this city down, I would kindly pull the chain. To quote the Greek owner of Santorini restaurant “Idiots, idiots. I’m surrounded by idiots!”
Brasov will be my new playground! Brasov is alright for me. What about you Parmalat?
Me? I’m thinking about Buenos Aires…
If I ever find the resources (both mental and financial) to run away from this country (not only the city), I’ll do it to a place from where it will be very hard to return.
But since I’ve been living my last 26 and 1/2 years here in Bucharest, except for 1 year which I spent in Paris, I guess I got used to this hopeless place.
In my opinion Romania will never be better than it is today, at least not in our lifetime. Romania (and Bucharest as well) had a nice chance of development if the crisis hadn’t occur. But the way the international situation is evolving, the lack of political stability around the world, uncertainty in regard to key regions and resources, and more factors of such kind make me to believe that the near future does not bring hopes of serious development. We do not stand on our own, Romania is a country totally dependent of foreign aid and right now it has to wait its turn on the list of global priorities.
I do not want to discuss the reasons for which the situation evolved in such kind, that’s a huge discussion, I will only stick to the effects.
There will not be proper sewage around the country, there will not be proper irrigation systems for agriculture around the country, there will not be proper roads around the country, there will not be a proper health system, there will not be decent jobs around the country because all of these take hundreds of billions of $ funds which nobody can provide anymore.
Above all these, we are already consuming whatever resources we had: forests have been cut for wood and nothing was planted in place, fresh water is starting to run scarce, air (especially around the metropolitan areas) is widely polluted, there’s no heavy industry left in the country (most factories were sold as scrap iron), people who could have made a difference now work for European and US major companies etc…
So if anyone can give me a reason to be optimistic about Romania’s next 50 years – please be my guest, I personally can’t find any reason.
But why does Brasov feel different for you than Bucharest?? People over there basically have the same problems as people over here…
You know, for a few months after the presidential elections I had the feeling that Transilvania is another country; the way they voted for Basescu made me to regard them as foreigners. But then again – the rhythm in which banks and exchange offices got looted lately is the same as in Bucharest so it’s still Romania everywhere.
Buenos Aires eh? Don’t just dream about it, make it happen because anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
“But why does Brasov feel different for you than Bucharest??”
For me the quality of life is better, the views, the wide open spaces, the forests, I love the forests, I enjoy yomping/hiking running, riding up in the hills etc etc. Also that Old town is a beauty, great place for a beer plus it even has a Lacoste shop!!!
You’re pretty young Parmalat. When you get older you will see that places undergo their ups and downs. It’s not all bad. Romania can turn things around.
The US may have some influence on Romania’s leadership — I have my doubts about whether it is as major as you claim. Since Romania has been by and large badly governed for a long long time, perhaps the current crop of bad leaders just represents more of the same regardless.
You know what’s funny? American people are not at all representative for what US policies around the world look like. While the attitude of the United States around the world may well be qualified as pure evil – all American people which I met (on the internet because I met none face 2 face) are kind, warm, educated, realistic etc…
From my point of view, the States have a big problem with their elections system because there’s no real alternative to power. Either Republicans or Democrats, they will carry on the same agenda.
I am sure there are many people in your country who are sick and tired of wars, of killing, of multinational companies, of involvement in the internal affairs of other countries, of the incoming hatred towards the States etc… yet they can not DO anything, they can only switch between two faces of the same coin.
I am trying hard to give a meaning to what’s happening, I hate some of the US international policies, but I can not hate the people: I can not hate the people from whom I buy stuff on e-bay, I can not hate the people who answered my questions when I was in my first days trading foreign exchange, I can not hate the people who send me stuff which I can’t find over here, I can not hate you Caroline now that I have read your comments, I can not hate Davin even if he considers Romania a mess…………… I don’t know why I said those words to Mike, now I regret it even if I believe in what I said.
Ok, and now Part II, about politicians:
You know how Romanians learned the word “corruption” ?
It was like 2003 during the times of Adrian Nastase, when the country already seemed to be stabilized following a disastrous right-wing alliance (right-wing over here means liberal, while left-wing means socialist, I think in the States these terms are used vice-versa) which seemed much alike the one we have today in power: scandals over scandals, incompetence and a general feeling that the situation is about to explode.
And back then around 2003, Baroness Emma Nicholson (as a special raporteur for Romania on behalf of the European Parliament) started to criticize the Nastase regime by shouting hard in her speeches “corruption, corruption, corruption”.
Until then ordinary people knew that “Romanians steal”. Ok fine, they steal while selling merchandise of poor quality, they steal while weighing your potatoes with a rigged weighing machine, they steal your wallet etc… but nobody had any idea that politicians can steal in such a formidable manner!
And then comes the question: who the hell had corrupted our politicians?? Did Romanians have money in 2002 to bribe their politicians at such formidable levels so as to allow the selling of Petrom and SIDEX for barely 10% of their real value??? We’re talking about billions of $, the Ukrainians sold their equivalent of SIDEX for 3 billion Euro, while our SIDEX was gone for 60 million!!
The conclusion comes by itself: the West knew damn well for what reason they were shouting “corruption” because they were the ones corrupting our politicians!
Us locals could not say for sure that our politicians are corrupt because we had no clues, we could only smell something but we could not raise accusations. And then how the hell can someone from 3000km away come and shout “corruption” on Romanian national TV in prime time?!?!?!
This is how Romanians learned about corruption.
Ok, and now Part III, about multinational companies:
You know why I hate multinational companies?
Because people like myself who like to use their brains are forbidden access to jobs in multinational companies. Multinational companies will only (I am not giving verdicts, but it’s my feeling and personal experience; I may be wrong) recruit stupid, easy-brainwashable youngsters.
And add that over the Romanian ass-licking impulse (middle management is Romanian, these companies can not hire 1 expat for every 6 people) and you’ll see what the picture looks like over here.
It’s a huge feeling of frustration to see that you’ve been turned down for someone less educated, carrying a lower amount of information etc… only because he would accept unofficial 12 hours a day shifts and brainwashing to “fit with the corporate culture of the company”, while you had proven too creative and with a strong personality thus threatening the already created hierarchies.
Believe me, the feeling of injustice is limitless, not even money, not even a Mercedes, not even loads of free time can cover that feeling.
Self-righteous and whiny young commie, aren’t we ?
“[...] But Allah intended to establish the truth by His words and to eliminate the disbelievers. That He should establish the truth and abolish falsehood, even if the criminals disliked it.”
Qur’an Al-Anfal: 7, 8
When I see people like you, I’m glad that mankind has invented the knife.
Yes !!! Let’s celebrate the Revolution by spilling infidel blood !
I’m gonna issue a fatwa agains multinational companies and distribute it on all jihadi groups ans forums that I know. So that small robots like yourself can be brought to senses rather in this life.
You know, it was people like you who’d wear brown (if German), black (if Italian), green (if Romanian) shirts in the 1930s.
Ignorant, self-righteous, frustrated pseudo-intellectuals with a totalitarian mindset.
You could have tried to be original. But no, you chose the classical leftist bogey-men – USA and multinational-corporations.
You think you’re so smart and original – but you’re just another stooge who can’t see the deeper connections between things.
And yeah, keep wishing for my death. That’ll prove me wrong (not)
I don’t want to be original.
“Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors. And slay them wherever you catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter… But if they cease, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful… If they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression”.
Qur’an: Al-Baqarah 190-193
You understand why Islam is the fastest growing religion on earth? Because what happens to people nowadays has an answer in the Qur’an.
And turn them out from where they rurned you out. And let there be no hostilities except to those who practice oppression. How could I or anyone else describe multinational companies better?! No need to be original, the answer to these problems stands since 1400 years ago.
Surah Al-Anfal from the Qur’an carries a message of the same strenght as the Apocalypse from the Bible. The CALL to jihad stands in Surah Al-Anfal, while the MEANS of jihad are usually derived from the Sunnah. If you watch jihadi videos in Arabic or Urdu, what you can usually see written on the background are quotes from Surah Al-Anfal.
I’m trying to lose about 3kg these days. This guy Daniel’s comment upset me so much that both Surah Al-Anfal and hunger came into my mind instantly…
There are very few companies that value talent and hard work. It has been my experience that you have to be able to suck up to the boss or supervisor and tell him what he wants to hear. I am thinking this holds true in Romania as I SUA. The multinational companies don’t want a freethinker any more than a typical American company, toe the company line, tell the boss what he wants to hear, don’t rock the boat, and work your ass off pentru nimic! I’ve worked for myself and by myself for over 15 years and I have never been happier! I am not rich and don’t really don’t care to be. In the end you come into this world cu nimic and you leave cu nimic…..is more important how you treat people then the possesions you can acquire! By the way, I have nu magic solution. I think Democracy is the best we have. Capitalism is just greed. Socilaism/Communism has ruined many countries, even a mild socialism really doesn’t work because it makes all people the same and this is an impossibility!
I guess part of the problem here is post 1989, nothing really changed. The old guard still rule, just under a new banner. When self serving people are running a country, the populace will be the ones who suffer.
Considering the natural resources in Romania (i.e. Oil), this should be a much richer country than it is, but of course, the people with their fingers in the pot want their disproportionate share, and there are invested interests in the EU to keep the majority poor as Romania provides a VERY cheap workforce. A slave in their native country is both cheaper, and gets to be called “free”.
I would not blame the EU at all. In a country such as this, I think that the EU has been a force for good. Unfortunately – and ironically – any influence it had on local affairs disappeared when Romania was admitted to the EU. Tom Gallagher’s book Theft of a Nation is good on this point (and less good on others).
Indeed, I have noticed interest from the EU to maintain things as they are. And in fact there is interest from everybody involved somehow in Romania to maintain things as they are. Why would anyone want to pay Romanian workforce more?!
This country sucks. Ive had to be here for 4 months on account of business and so far have been able to observe nothing but a society of liar, deceitful and all around filthy people. I understand theyve been oppressed for many years but its hard to get past that when you come here and everyone has a cold stare on their face. This country is bull shit.
There is a lot of truth in what you say. However, I find once you get out of Bucharest the people can be a lot nicer.
Bucharest has come a long way in short amount of time. There is still much to be done, and changing the selfish attitudes of many of the people who live here is one of those things. But it is an increasingly decent place to live and (most importantly for us) to bring up children. And Rearguard is right: outside Bucharest there are some wonderful places in Romania: Brasov, Fagaras, Harghita. The list is in fact rather long.
I hate the US too and its multinational companies. Too bad they’re going bankrupt and there will be nothing to hate anymore.
The new trend is Islam, you’d better get used to it, yankee. The American way is a thing of the past, outdated.
I’m British and have lots of Romanian friends at home, Romanians are a lovely quirky people. I’ve just visited Romania for the first time (Bucharest) and was shocked by the behaviour. Perhaps it’s because they were on their own soil or maybe just my face, but I felt intimidated the entire time. In my experience their attitude to foreigners (literally bar 1) is definitely hostile.
I’m sorry you had such unpleasant experience, but, please, don’t take it personal.
I travel to UK almost every month, my best friend is British. She felt exactly like you described, when for the first time in Bucuresti. I explained to her and I also tell you that I don’t think people are especially hostile to foreigners; they are hostile towards their co-nationals also. I’m afraid this is the result of people being depressed, stressed, tired, tensed, pessimistic and unable to meditate about their attitude. We’re a bit crowded here and many didn’t accommodate with life in a big city, not yet; the simple existence of others is annoying. We don’t have a culture of big cities. It takes time, but people will discover, eventually, the benefits of respect and tolerance. (I hope)
I truly like Bucuresti and the main problem with the attitude in the people here is the focus on today and not looking to tomorrow and given the current state of affairs I can understand this attitude. I have met many nice people and some not so. It took me some time to get a grasp of life here. Basically I had to rely on actions and not words..words are cheap and easy, but is not so different from America. The big difference is, to quote singer Leon Russell, ” I am a stranger in a strange land” and this is the difference. I haven’t a clue what it must be like to try and emerge from the almost 50 year cocoon of Communism and repression and fear. I read much about these times, but I will never know what it is truly like to be Romanian, even if I do actually marry on this trip…we will see on the latter.
Did someone take something out of your pocket in Bucharest?
it’s clear your social crowd is limited.. you need to meet more people…
It’s weird how I agree with each and every one of you… And yet…
I believe that no matter what country you live in, there is chaos everywhere, if you look around. Some nations have good coping strategies, but unfortunately others don’t know how to get out of their own skin. Some aren’t even aware of their faults. Others have no idea whatsoever where to begin the change.
It’s an unfortunate state of being, what Romanians have, and, as a people with a long, tormented history, we have no choice but to individually seek a way out of our own dark world and into the new age… by emigrating.
It is painful for all of us, but, after a long time of confronting my origins, I’ve realized that the Romanian saying “asta e” (=oh well) is the only working strategy we have left. It’s too late to change now. I am crying inside for all the people who have died for this country, but at the same time I have nothing left to do but to wish all my fellow nationals “Good luck finding happiness, wherever you may roam!”
I wish all the foreigners would stop badmouthing Romanians, based on generalization (it’s a common mistake I guess) and start looking deep inside each and every Romanian’s heart, take him as an individual, separating him from his past and giving him a new chance to proove himself. He can do anything, anytime, anywhere. If you try to understand and respect people, no matter their nationality, they will offer you the same.
Peace.
(damn hippie)
Having long ago given up general Romanian-bashing, we have always tried to be objective on these pages, though by its very nature objective means that you need to deal with the bad as much as the good. Of course, we have no control over comments (and in the interests of lively debate we allow all comments to be posted however infuriating or prejudiced they might be). Always remember though that most foreigners in Romania (however much they complain or protest and appear rabid at first) have chosen to be here. They must find something that they like…
Rock on!
I had to leave my email so I can’t say what I really think.My Romanian friends,look in the mirror and guess!
I have met lovely Romanians over here in Ireland,much nicer than Hungarians,but the Roma are giving the Romanian people a bad name with their crime and begging.Romanians are good people and I am told these Roma are not etnic Romanians,but come from India origially.I think this could be true because they look very black and dress like Asians.The Romanian goverment should not issue these people with passports as they give the nice people of Romania a bad name,and this is not fair,my Romanian friends are ashamed to be Romanian because of the Roma
Shawn and L. Monroe,
you two are so right. And it’s sad to see, that Romanians themselves take no responsibility, ad mit to anything and have no shame.
I don’t mind Romanians being the way they are in their own country. Only if they stayed there.
But the fact that it’s in the EU is just so sad. And that they can move freely around.
In Finland, we have experienced the kind of problems and violence we have never experienced in such a short time since Romania joined the EU.
And what does their ambassador say? He tells us his feelings are hurt, since problems caused by Romanians are discussed in the media! Does he try to do anything about this? No. Instead of apologizing, he says he is expecting an apology…
Their politicians and government is still in the time of Caucescu, and these people ought to be treated like equals in EU. It’s so sadn, and we others are left in deep trouble…
People keep “moving around” since they left Africa in search for better living conditions. That’s also how your ancestors got to populate Finland; or do you think they grew up from that soil, like mushrooms in the forest? People migrate, animals, birds migrate as well. If we’d experience a climate change, another ice age for instance, what would you do: proudly stay, starve and freeze in your country, holding tight to your EU passport? I think you’d rather pack your bags. It’s a basic human right – the freedom to move / to travel.
It is indeed sad if some people cause severe discomfort to others, by being violent or not respecting the laws. They lose their basic rights: can be restricted from traveling; or totally lose their freedom, in prison.
But saying that Romanians should not be allowed to travel? – is it fair? Is it wise?
If you find Romanians being “left behind” that’s also because they didn’t travel enough. For such a long time Romanians lived isolated, unable to communicate, to see, learn, experience and try other ideas and lifestyles. People, money, ideas – must circulate. Romanians should travel more and take every journey as a lesson.
Ah, there are also Romanians who can afford to travel just for fun (quality food, interesting museums, sight-seeing, shopping); but don’t worry, you won’t have many of them visiting Finland.
Hate Romania? I say hate Romanians. They suck! Yes there are some wonderful Romanians. But they are an exception to the rule! The whole country, they say, tries to emmulate the west. Only with regards to consumerism at it’s worst. Crap on those with less than you and hate those who have more.?.?
They still, throw their children away into institutions 20 years after the fall of their dictator. They force their elderly onto the streets to beg for money for their medications and food. They refuse to obey the simplest of rules. Their infrastructe and their government are at the very best, jokes to and on their own people. The people here answer; what do you expect? It’s Romania.
I am always told that it was the people who got rid of communism here. Doubtful. But let’s give them the benefit of doubt for a moment. Was that their only contribution to change these “people” are able to make? They ousted the leader and continue to vote for the same people that were in his inner circle. Reminder. The definition of crazy is, repeating the same sequence of events and expecting a different result. At this point, Webster’s dictionary would be better to define it as Romania.
I say give them another Ceasescu, let their arrested developmental minds continue to be lorded over by a man with a 6th grade education. They are sheep with sheep as their shepards. The EU will regret the decision to let these savages in.
Greece looks like Switzerland compared to this sad excuse for a country!
Swan , You are either a racist or an ignorant !! Relax and mind your own business in your own perfect world and in your own perfect country!!!! Too much hate is not good for your mental health. Peace!
No racism or ignorance here … just true facts! Everyone know that truth is never nice to ear; isn’t!
Open your eyes dude and look at your country (I assume you are Romanian) and compare it to an other country from EU. Well, guess what? It is pretty sad: Romania does not reach any standards.
If you do not agree with the above, then you are part of the problem of your own country … Doing nothing about it is not “Peace” it is laziness from you, start to open your eyes dude.
PS: I am so happy that EU seats are occupied by a Bascescu’s daughter and BKL; the real face of Romania finally blows up to the face of EU and it is a lots of fun.
well, i think u r kinda racist as well. I lived in Romania for a long time and I didn`t face any of the things u r talking about. Of course not all Romanian people are kind an friendly and not all the places are amazing but I don`t see it as out of European standards…
Each country has its own problems, for example some germans treat muslims like shit and discriminate so much….I haven`t heard of this from Romania. And I think being open minded is very healthy for the society. And they also have a lot of creepers in the street ….
I won`t say Romania is not dealing with a lot of problems .. it does .. but let`s not all throw with stones in someone defending his own country. We all have the right to be proud of who we are … those who are ashamed can leave and find a better place … a lot of us can judge and talk .. few are really capable of trying to change…
‘let`s not all throw with stones in someone defending his own country.’
I know what you mean and we certainly shouldn’t be throwing stones! Not at anyone for saying anything: we all reserve the right to be offensive.
But at the same time defending a country/people simply because it is your country/your people is wrong. The whole idea of ‘my country right or wrong’ is, well, wrong.
When I looked at the first reply and saw that he started his comment with “Swan”, that “Swan” appeared to me as “Swine” … maybe I’ve had too much of Adrian Severin lately.
America is the perfect example! How many times have I heard right or wrong….love it or leave it….it seems the sheep are not exclusive to Romania
I’m trying hard to hate America, but the Whopper from Burger King just won’t let me…
I can help. Just know that the Whopper used to be 200% better when they were still flame grilling them. I miss good burgers:(
Oh, they’re not flame grilling them anymore?? I thought they were, but who knows what’s behind the counter…
Even so, it tastes 200% better than anything from McDonalds
)
You know, Burger King had 2 tries on the Romanian market: the first one was in 1997; back then I knew about Burger King because I was watching Cartoon Network and they had some commercials.
But when I went to taste it, it seemed to me that it tasted so bad that I could hardly finish the first bite (before throwing the sandwich away and carrying on with the fries).
After that there was a period when it appeared as they’ve gone out of business and then – what do you know…
About 18 months ago I had to buy something from Bucuresti Mall and then I was hungry, went to the food court. And there at the food court there was a gypsy with his family, in front of Burger King and asking for a “Whoppair” with a French accent.
And he made me to turn my head to see what the f*ck is a “Whoppair”… and that’s how the Whopper mania started for me.
A ! si daca esti roman ,sa iti fie rusine!!!!
Don’t let Shawn upset you. He’s not Romanian but he’s probably been here a little too long. Let’s just put it down to it being his time of the month
Stimate “a citizen”….sa-i fie rusine cei care isi bat pumnii in piept fara sa-si dea seama ca aceasta tara este tratata ca o curva obosita de proprii sai cetateni. Parlamentari hoti, caini vagabonzi, padurile taiate fara mila, masini conduse si parcate fara nici o semn de bun simti, pensionari care mor de foame, o elita de nou parveniti sinistri care nu stie ce se faca cu muntii de bani furati in urma ultima campania de “privatizare”.
Ce rost are sa fii nationalist cand tara asta a fost si continua sa fie fututa de proprii sai cetateni la greu? Aici nepasarea a aproape toate lumea, de la maturatori de pe strada pana la mafiotii la Cotroceni, a imputit absolut tot ce inseamna sa traiesti in aceasta tara.
Cine e nebun? Un strain indignat de jegul care s-a lipit de tot ce a fost bun in aceasta tara…sau romanul care in loc sa faca ceva isi da din umeri si spune “asta e”……
Cine e nebun? Un strain indignat de jegul care s-a lipit de tot ce a fost bun in aceasta tara…sau romanul care in loc sa faca ceva isi da din umeri si spune “asta e”……
A very good question indeed…
If it weren’t for Hungarians, Romanians, and Greeks, all of Western Europe would be Western Turkey! Romania has an unfortunate history. The Dacians were Romanized by the Romans and then spread out into the mountains by waves of barbarian hordes such as the Goths and Slavs. They were a taxable colony of the Turks for a few hundred years (and held onto their Christian heritage unlike, say, the Albanians) before being gobbled up by the Austro-Hungarians, the Russians, and later the Soviets. Stuck between the Nazis and Soviet Russia, we were forced to pick between the ‘lesser of two evils’, so to speak. Romania’s strategic location as a ‘crossroad’ between East and West had its drawbacks, being more hurtful than beneficial. Romania had a Communist dictator until 1989 (and Moldova, the rest of our country as far as I’m concerned, was Communist until last year). How
quickly can a nation rebound from such corrosion? There is still a segment of the population (older and more ‘traditional’ as well as ethnic minorities) who still vehemently support Communism. They see the decadence that emerges from Western-style ‘parliamentary democracy.’ They see the crime rate increase, the flow of drugs increasing to the country, the incredibly liberal and politically correct legislation that is forced upon new governments. Ultimately, this group will conflict with those looking for EU ties (a more severe problem in Moldova currently). Communism, and more importantly, ITS EFFECTS, won’t disappear immediately. Corruption won’t either, as we see in modern Italy. I wonder if Shawn’s social analysis on Romania is confined solely to Romania. Rather, I suspect he universally shares the same viewpoint in regards to all of those nations within the Southern and Eastern geographic regions of Europe. Americans, especially pseudo-liberal
Northeasterners, cannot tolerate a worldview that conflicts with their idealistic notions of liberal democracy (a weak system for sure). Perhaps he found the Romanians too nationalistic, too Orthodox, too PROUD to change (because we NEVER DO). WE ARE STUBBORN. I wonder when you stay at my parents house, Shawn, whether or not some of us remind you of the stereotypical, belligerent Romanian ‘savages.’ Not my witty, fair-skinned, Irish-looking, red-headed sister. No, not her. But me, when I’m tanned, with a trace of dark, stubbly hair growing around my face. Do I get a pass? Am I the exception to the rule, you spoke of, or are you too scared to say? It’s ironic to me how fascist, racist, and worst of all ELITIST your statements were regarding my people. We need another Ceacescu? We need an Antonescu. A Codreanu, perhaps. Your own words reveal the hypocrisy of liberalism; egalitarian only in ideology, ultimately globalist in nature. But the notion of
nationhood stands diametrically opposed to the globalist (EU, corporate-financed) agenda. To close, though I haven’t been to Romania since I was around two years old, I can only say that I’ve encountered hordes of white and non-white ‘undesirables’ in America (from New England to Dixie to Out West). What’s their excuse? Have they been culturally and socially oppressed by Communism and imperialism as my people were? Any Romanians (I don’t know any gypsies personally so I can’t say though their reputation is of the utmost notoriety) I’ve ever met, regardless of financial situation, have always broke their backs and conducted themselves in a respectable fashion. I don’t know about the new generation of Romanians (I hear that the hip-hop culture is exploding out there, another great American cultural export, I guess they can relate to being poor as shit) cropping up, but the new generation here in the States can’t be much better. We have drugs,
prostitution, human trafficking, political corruption, and violent crime right here in New York, Shawn, or have you not noticed. Please, Shawn, do not defame me by using my last name to bash ‘fratii mei.’ If you insist, do so anonymously. My great-grandfather owned a factory until the Communists stole it from him (and according to my father, had him work in it). My grandfather was a physician and my father and mother (an orphan) grew up in a devastated Romania, to later become physicians. Their work ethic far surpassed any American’s, including my own, by far…typical Romanian. I do not think you have earned the right to use my family name in this manner and I apologize to all my Romanian people on behalf of the most, utterly savage Raftopol family.
Christian Raftopol
I undersand Shawn, he is a gay man maried to another man. It is true that the Romanian society is not very tolerant in that respect yet and probably his experience in Romania was not the best of all. Persons like him would certainly enjoy more countries like Netherlands.
The contemporary Romanian popular culture is still in a budding stage and strives to emulate its western counterparts, adopting second rate Hollywood and glossy magazine styles. Elena Basescu, Elena Udrea, Mihaela Radulescu and many other such shallow local celebrities are for the legions of Romanians that adulate them a model of success, style, sophistication and western values. It is thus no surprise and only natural that Udrea got elected as an MP in a working class electoral ward, or Elena Basescu leads the youth organisation of her father’s party.
The AP article left them and their admirers bewildered and completely surprised. They believe that having these celebrities exhibiting sexy postures and fashion are enough to make them part of the European elite and Romania a western outpost in Orient. The reaction is just jingoistic, typical of country that is still Balkan to its core.
Our politicians perceive the European Parliament as some kind of a circus where all clowns may be sent to perform.
Wow, if the European Parliament is such a “circus”, then the corrupt Romanian Parliament must be nothing more than a zoo.
It was nice how they put “flashy” in Romanian: “sclipitoare”, which, when it refers to a person, might be understood as “bright” like in “very intelligent”. Both http://www.hotnews.ro and http://www.mediafax.ro never cease to amaze. Hm.